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preferability

preferability

6.8
A quality that makes one choice better or more suitable than another
  • noun
  • /prɪˈfɜrəbɪlɪti/
translation icon : preferibilidad
  • The preferability of organic produce has increased as more consumers become aware of health benefits.

Examples

  • The preferability of this model is due to its superior performance and lower maintenance costs compared to others.

  • The usual response, evasion, to a discrepancy between legal possibilities and economic preferability arose.

    Academic text (1992)
  • When choosing a vacation destination, the preferability of the beach over the mountains was clear to everyone in the group.

Synonyms

appropriateness
vspreferability
9 4.1

The quality of being suitable for a situation

indicates one option is judged better than another
suitability
vspreferability
8 3.2

How right something is for a particular use or situation

indicates one option is judged better than another
adequacy
vspreferability
6 3.7

A state of being enough or suitable for a purpose

indicates one option is judged better than another
desirability
vspreferability
6 5.0

How much people want something, for example a house or job

indicates one option is judged better than another
favorability
vspreferability
  • US
1 4.1

The degree to which something is likely to help or give a good result

indicates one option is judged better than another
suitableness
vspreferability
5.6

How well something fits a particular use

indicates one option is judged better than another
fittingness
vspreferability
7.3

How right something is for a situation or purpose

indicates one option is judged better than another
desirableness
vspreferability
5.6

The quality that makes people want something

indicates one option is judged better than another

Antonyms

A situation where something is not wanted and should be avoided

How Desirable

optimality
1 7.2
preferability
6.8
desirability
6 5.0

Surface Forms

preferability singular

Morphology

preferability = preferable (transparent) = prefer + able + ity

Formed by adding -ity to the adjective 'preferable' to denote the quality of being preferable, a standard nominalization.

Etymology

The word preferability comes from the word prefer, which means 'to choose something before another' and contains the part pre- meaning 'before'. So, if something has preferability it is more desirable and likely to be chosen 'before' other options.